Knopfler began recording apart from Dire Straits in 1983, when he released his first soundtrack album Local Hero.

That same year he produced his first album, Infidels for Bob Dylan.

Between 1983 and 2016, Knopfler composed and released nine soundtrack albums, the last of which was with Evelyn Glennie.

After he quietly disbanded Dire Straits in 1995, Knopfler released his first solo album Golden Heart in 1996.

In addition, Knopfler has also produced four additional albums for other artists, including Land of Dreams in 1988 for Randy Newman, and has appeared on many albums by other artists, providing guitar tracks or guest appearance vocals.